Purple baseball caps spoofing Donald Trump’s iconic MAGA hats have turn into an emblem of Danish and Greenlandic defiance in opposition to the U.S. president’s risk to grab the frozen territory.
The caps studying “Make America Go Away” — parodying Trump’s “Make America Great Again” slogan — have gained reputation together with a number of variants on social media and at public protests, together with a weekend demonstration held in freezing climate within the Danish capital.
European governments are rallying behind Denmark, citing the necessity to defend Arctic areas and warning that threats in opposition to Greenland undermine Western safety.
Protesters, nevertheless, are much less diplomatic.
“I want to show my support to Greenland and also show that I don’t like the president of the United States,” mentioned 76-year-old Copenhagen resident Lars Hermansen, who wore one of many purple caps at a protest Saturday.
The mock hats have been created by Copenhagen classic clothes retailer proprietor Jesper Rabe Tonnesen. Early batches flopped final yr — till the Trump administration not too long ago escalated its rhetoric over Greenland. Now there are popping up in every single place.
“When a delegation from America went up to Greenland, we started to realize this probably wasn’t a joke — it’s not reality TV, it’s actually reality,” mentioned Tonnesen, 58. “So I said, OK, what can I do?” Can I talk in a humorous means with a superb message and unite the Danes to indicate that Danish individuals help the individuals of Greenland?”
Demand immediately surged from a trickle to promoting out within the area of 1 weekend. Tonnesen mentioned he has now ordered “several thousand.”
The unique model designed by Tonnesen featured a play on phrases: “Nu det NUUK!” — a twist on the Danish phrase “Nu det nok,” which means “Now it’s enough,” substituting Nuuk, Greenland’s tiny capital.
Protesters at Saturday’s rally waved red-and-white Danish and Greenlandic flags and carried handmade indicators mocking U.S. claims over the territory, which is barely bigger than Saudi Arabia.
“No Means No,” learn one signal. One other declared, “Make America Smart Again.”
Sporting one of many spoof hats, protester Kristian Boye, 49, mentioned the gathering in entrance of Copenhagen Metropolis Corridor struck a lighthearted tone whereas delivering a critical message.
“I’m here to support the Greenlanders, who are going through a very hard time right now,” he mentioned. “They are being threatened with having their country invaded. I think it’s totally unacceptable.”
